Material Diplomacy | Pyeori Jung

In Material Diplomacy, Pyeori Jung and Augustina Lavickaitė examine objects that were given to the Vatican during conflicts or moments of instability. These objects tell layered stories about politics, spirituality and economics. They also form a material archive of international relations. Through mapping, video essays and visual research, the project explores how these gifts can be seen as a form of negotiation and cultural diplomacy. The project includes research in the Vatican museums, archives and library. Three to five objects will be thoroughly analysed. In addition, a method will be developed to better understand politically charged objects in institutional collections. What do these gifts say about power and value, in the past and present? Ultimately, the research will be presented during a Research Night at the Nieuwe Instituut in 2026.